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- Tasks: Provide expert advice and support on employee relations matters in a dynamic HR environment.
- Company: Join a large public-sector organisation committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving employee relations and supporting managers through challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive and fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 44000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid (Office & Home)
Contract: Temporary
Salary: £37,500 - £44,000
Hours: Full-time
About the Role
Huntress Recruitment is seeking an experienced Employee Relations (ER) Consultant to join a busy HR function within a large public-sector organisation. This role focuses on providing expert advice, coaching and support to managers, particularly within Children's Services, on a wide range of employee relations matters.
You will play a key role in embedding a new sickness absence policy and improving the organisation's approach to absence management, casework handling and ER capability. This is an excellent opportunity for an ER professional who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and enjoys supporting managers through challenging people-related issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide specialist advice and support to managers on sickness absence management, helping embed new policies, guidance and processes.
- Manage a varied caseload of sickness absence and ill-health cases, ensuring consistent and fair application of policy.
- Analyse sickness absence data, identify trends, and prepare action plans and recommendations for senior managers.
- Act as client manager for formal investigations and support investigating officers through the process.
- Provide HR advice to chairs of disciplinary hearings, capability panels, grievance meetings and appeals.
- Work with HR colleagues to review and update HR policies, templates and process flows.
- Design and deliver ER-related training in partnership with the Learning & Development team.
- Coach managers to improve confidence and competence in dealing with employee relations issues.
- Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the organisation.
About You
To be successful, you will have:
- Strong experience handling complex ER casework in a large, unionised or public-sector setting.
- A solid understanding of employment legislation and best practice HR processes.
- Confidence advising senior managers and chairing or supporting formal meetings.
- Excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills.
- The ability to analyse data, prepare reports and translate findings into practical action.
- Experience delivering training or supporting manager development.
- CIPD qualification (or equivalent experience) is highly desirable.
Huntress Search Ltd acts as a Recruitment Agency in relation to all Permanent roles and as a Recruitment Business in relation to all Temporary roles. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.
PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.
Employee Relations (ER) Consultant employer: Huntress - Maidstone
Contact Detail:
Huntress - Maidstone Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations (ER) Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in public-sector organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common ER scenarios. Think about how you’d handle complex casework or coach managers through tricky situations. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to identify trends in sickness absence or improve policies. This will demonstrate your value to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations (ER) Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employee Relations Consultant role. Highlight your experience with sickness absence management and any relevant HR policies you've worked with. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves advising and coaching managers, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and maybe even share a brief example of how you've successfully influenced others in the past.
Highlight Your Analytical Skills: Don't forget to mention your ability to analyse data and prepare reports. This is key for identifying trends in sickness absence. We love seeing candidates who can turn numbers into actionable insights, so make sure to include any relevant experiences!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you'll be able to showcase your application in the best light. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huntress - Maidstone
✨Know Your ER Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employee relations, especially in a public-sector context. Familiarise yourself with the latest employment legislation and best practices, as you'll need to demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific situations where you've successfully handled complex ER casework. Be ready to discuss how you managed sickness absence cases or supported managers through challenging issues. This will show your practical experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Show Off Your Coaching Skills
Since the role involves coaching managers, be prepared to talk about your approach to training and development. Share examples of how you've helped others improve their confidence and competence in dealing with employee relations matters.
✨Data is Your Friend
As analysing sickness absence data is part of the job, make sure you can discuss how you've used data to identify trends and prepare actionable recommendations. Highlight any tools or methods you’ve used to analyse data effectively.